It’s one thing switching to vegan food in Veganuary, but have you ever thought about the contents of your makeup bag?

There’s a common misconception that if a product is cruelty-free then it’s also vegan, but often that isn’t the case. Many cosmetics contain animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients including things like honey, beeswax, carmine, collagen and gelatine.

Over the past few years there’s been a definite rise in the number of vegan cosmetics on the market, but sometimes trying to work out what ingredients you need to avoid can be a bit of a minefield. Here are some brands to try if you want to make the switch to a more vegan-friendly cosmetics bag.

Lush

Around 80% of the products are Lush are vegan making it one of the more vegan-friendly places on the high street. All vegan products are clearly marked, and the company works to make sure there’s a vegan alternative available in all their ranges. Lush also use ethically sourced ingredients and recently launched a range of plastic-free products to help the environment even more.

Kat Von D

When Kat Von D first launched her makeup line she wasn’t vegan, and was the first to admit that she hadn’t thought about the ingredients in her products. Since then she has announced plans to re-launch her line to ensure every product is free of animal products and by-products, and has been working hard to reformulate anything with carmine (red dye made from insects) in it.

Urban Decay*

Looking to brighten up your makeup bag? Then look no further than Urban Decay. Not only do they have a range of colourful lip gloss, eyeliner and lipstick, but they also have vegan makeup brushes made with synthetic hairs.

Barry M

Barry M has been a long-time supporter of campaigns to end animal testing for cosmetics, and even has a dedicated section on their website for it. Not all their range is vegan, but they mark the products that are which includes nail varnish, lipstick, foundation and eyeshadow. The products are also very reasonably priced and available in Superdrug stores.

e.l.f.

This company started in the USA and is now available from most Superdrug stores. As well as a great makeup line, e.l.f has an extensive skincare range to suit all skin types. All of their brushes are also synthetic and vegan.

B.

This superdrug range disappeared from shelves for a couple years, but it is back with a vengeance. B. has a great range of makeup which is completely cruelty free and vegan; their lipstick line ranges from soft nudes to loud and bright reds.

Spectrum

If you’re already kitted out with all the makeup you could possibly need (for now anyway!), but you’re in the market for new brushes and kits… look no further than Spectrum. A cruelty free and vegan brand whose brushes come in an array or colours and designs. Some brushes are in mermaid colours and come in a clam shaped case, and they even have a ‘mean girls’ range- what more could you ask for?

Whether you’re new to veganuary or a seasoned pro, hopefully this post will help you discover new cruelty free cosmetics ranges. Let us know your thoughts!

It’s heartbreaking that some cosmetics companies still test on animals. Now that we know high-quality, affordable makeup (the items on this list are $10 or less!) can be made without testing on animals, why do some companies continue to force animals to endure horrible procedures in labs (e.g., being locked up, poisoned, blinded, and even killed) for the sake of our vanity?

Please read this list of vegan cruelty-free makeup products that you can find at your nearest drugstore or Target, and start stocking your makeup bag the compassionate way:

Supporting these brands helps animals. By purchasing vegan cosmetics from these cruelty-free companies, you’re showing them that there’s a demand for these types of products. Hopefully, they’ll all join the ranks of all-vegan makeup brands such as Pacifica, Arbonne, and NCLA. Until then, vote with your dollars and choose vegan.

Winky LuxGood vegan makeup can be hard to find; Winky Lux not only delivers on pigment and coverage, but it’s got the variety too. Find a full list of the 100% vegan lipsticks, eyeshadows, bronzers and more via the website.

YopeOne to know for everyday items, like body wash, hand wash and hand cream, Yope is the new chic natural brand on the block. With an impressive array of scents to choose from, you’re not limited with this vegan lot.

NailberryLooking for a guilt-free mani? Nailberry is not only vegan, but also cruelty-free, non-toxic and ‘breathable’ – meaning it also passes as ‘halal’. Plus the new winter-autumn shades (pictured) are completely on point for the season.

Unicorn Cosmetics makeup brushesIf you need a set of vegan-friendly makeup brushes, these ones are as magical as it gets. With unicorn horn handles and multi-coloured tapered tips made from synthetic taklon, you just can’t go wrong.

Nazan SchnappThis vegan Swiss skincare brand has just landed in the UK and we’re already obsessed. Yes, it’s bathroom shelfie-friendly but also PETA-approved and all about blending organic botanics, natural clays and precious gemstones to make products that will leave your skin feeling and looking peachy.

Skinny TanFor girls that want to glow in a cruelty-free, organic kind of way, this is the self-tanning brand for you. This vegan fake tan also happens to be 100% streak-free too, such a winner.

Green PeopleWe love the transparency of this organic skincare brand, everything is labelled extensively and almost all the products are vegan-friendly (just not the makeup, yet). The shower gels were especially made for eczema and psoriasis sufferers and don’t feel like the usual thick, gloopy creams and gels.

muk HaircareLeading the way for conscious haircare, this brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. For ultra-nourished locks, try the new Spa Argan Oil Repair range – it contains five natural based products, all 100% free from sulfates, parabens and phosphates.

LumeneFinland’s number one skincare brand has just landed in the UK, and the best part? Every single product is vegan. We love the Glow Boost Essence (£29.90) and Beauty Serum (£27).

InikaInika was one of the first brands to create Certified Organic makeup that doesn’t lack pigment, and the vast majority of the products are vegan, too. Just look for the little sunflower symbol on the box.

EcotoolsStocked in Boots both singularly and in sets, Ecotools fulfils all your beauty tool needs with vegan-friendly makeup brushes and accessories.

SukinFrom our Australian friends across the pond comes a natural and effective skincare brand in Sukin. The cleanser smells subtly of oranges and removes most makeup easily.

Tata HarperA large portion of Tata Harper products are vegan, but always double check. The resurfacing mask is a skincare rockstar and is on the vegan safe-list.

Urban VedaUrban Veda’s natural skin care products are not only vegan but smell beautiful. The reviving range, in particular, has a beautiful rose scent.

BYBIStanding for ‘By Beauty Insiders’, BYBI was founded by two beauty bloggers, who wanted to create a range that was 100 per cent natural, vegan and cruelty-free – but far from basic. They currently stock six skincare products and are ones to watch…

OdyliqueOdylique have been producing natural skin care since 1984. Fast forward to 2018 and they have a broad range of makeup, body and hair products – the majority of which are also vegan-friendly.

Purple TreePurple Tree is the new vegan kid on the block, launching with a multi-purpose balm that can be used all over the body. It’s also ideal for applying loose glitter come festival time.

BellamiantaA vegan tan? Yes please! And it only takes two hours to develop. Winning.

HerbatintHerbatint is our go-to for all things vegan hair. From at-home dyes, to soothing shampoos and conditioners – they’re also free from ammonia, SLS and parabens.

Meet the best vegan makeup buys on the block.

Created and developed by former chief chemist and MD at MAC cosmetics, it’s no surprise that Cover FX products have become some of our most-reached for makeup. The entire range is cruelty-free and vegan (with the exception of MintTint FX & MintGlaze FX).

Last year, Kat Von D announced plans to reformulate her entire cosmetics line to ensure every product was vegan. While the process takes a while, she already has a section of her website titled #VeganAlert which is full of products that do not contain any animal products or by-products, and have not been tested on animals.

A bargain vegan beauty brand, B. is exclusive to Superdrug, which means it’s totally wallet-friendly. Their website explains that B. “does not contain any animal derived ingredients or by-products, even beeswax which can often be found in mascara.”

Purse-friendly makeup brush brand, EcoTools, offer a huge selection of brushes, all of which are vegan.

Hero products: The Start The Day Beautifully Kit includes everything you need if you’re starting out in makeup, there’s a fluffy powder brush, a concealer brush, two eyeshadow brush, and an angled liner brush.

Affordable makeup brand, E.l.f, is a firm fave with everyone from Beauty Vloggers, to Makeup Artists. Luckily, the entire cosmetic line is vegan-friendly, however, not all the skincare and brushes are – so be sure to check the listed ingredients before making a purchase.

Hero products: Be sure to check out our top five favourite products out below…

Not only are Pacifica Cosmetics all natural, but the makeup line is also 100% vegan.

Hero products: There’s a load of products to choose from, but the eyeshadow palettes take the crown. With pretty, wearable colours in an a rich, blendable formula, these shadows could rival most high end counterparts.

An entire new vegan make-up bag is essential, right?

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If you think vegan beauty is as boring as plain tofu, think again.

While Axiology, Pacifica and INIKA are making a name for themselves as 100% vegan beauty brands, even make-up giants like Hourglass and BECCA are formulating more and more of their products sans any animal byproducts, going one step further than cruelty free in a bid to meet the growing needs and demands of every beauty obsessive out there.

Instead of lanolin and beeswax to name but a few animal derivatives, products are now filled to bursting with vivid vegan pigments, nourishing natural vitamins and skin-perfecting plant extracts galore – and they’re just as impressive as their non-vegan counterparts.

So, discard the notion that vegan beauty is restrictive or second rate and check out the very best vegan make-up products out there right now

With almost half of The Body Shop’s entire range ticking the vegan friendly box, you can swap your whole preening routine. Start with their super pigmented eyeshadow refills, ideal for any statement eye.

With moisturising vitamin E, aloe and a whole host of other nourishing, certified organic ingredients, ILIA’s vegan mascara treats the lashes as it extends and defines – perfect if yours are on the pitiful side. The clever comb boasts tens of tiny teeth to capture and coat each lash in one sweep and we guarantee zero flaking.

A vivid blanket of non-budge colour with all the quenching, nourishing and plumping effects of a balm makes luxe vegan brand Axiology’s Lip Crayon our go-to for the ultimate pout. We’re also awarding extra points for the snazzy gilt packaging.

Kaia Gerber’s soft and fluffy brows are totally attainable thanks to Illamasqua’s Brow Cake – just one of the cult products in the brand’s extensive vegan line. Simply take an angled brush to the velvety powder and buff it into scant patches to take your brow sitch from sorry to supermodel-esque in seconds.

The in-credible pigment payoff and luxuriously creamy texture of 3INA’s vegan, cruelty free and bargain lip pencil means it’s miles ahead of any designer counterparts costing at least three times the price. It acts like velcro for any lipstick you apply on top, instantly tripling the staying power.

Who said vegan make-up products were second rate? MUAs all over the globe obsess over BECCA’s Shimmering Skin Perfector highlighter for the way it mimics skin bathed in candlelight sans any animal-derived ingredients. Dot it down the bridge of your nose and atop your cheekbones for a selfie worthy face shot.

Plant extracts, plumping peptides and seriously rich pigment make up Arbonne’s Glossed Over Lipgloss, which imparts a nervy 90s-inspired sheen that can take on everything from burgers to bellinis. In other words, it lasts.

Thanks to the expertly carved nib this soft (but totally not crumbly) brow pencil creates both subtle and sharp hair strokes depending on whether you want perfectly natural or brilliantly bold arches, while the spoolie brush grooms them into shape. Charlotte doesn’t stop at brows, though, because her Magic Foundation and Wonderglow Face Primer are also formulated with 100% vegan ingredients.

Cover FX’s dispensable drops change the vegan make-up game entirely. If you’re a foundation-phobe, mix the pigment-packed formula with moisturiser for a subtle, dewy veil of colour or add a couple of drops to your current foundation to dial up the coverage. Added Lechithin coats each and every molecule so that the product cleverly meshes with skin for an impressive yet undetectable finish.

A firm ELLE favourite (and not just because of the super-sleek packaging) Hourglass’Ambient Lighting Palette is both vegan and gluten free. The middle hue makes skin look radiant instead of shimmery or frosty and the two end shades are perfect for depositing a hit of sun-kissed warmth wherever and whenever you need it. Take that, winter complexion.

Call off the search for an amazing vegan foundation – we’ve got it right here. This two-in-one stick of genius is potent enough to tuck away eye bags and blemishes like a concealer but light and comfortable enough for all-over coverage. Plus, the shade range is really inclusive.

Arguably one of the most sought after products in INIKA’s vegan make-up collection, this concealer boasts light reflecting mineral pigments which act like a soft focus lens, instantly blurring pores, blemishes and dark circles. Shea butter and jojoba seed oil make it luxuriously creamy and easy to blend using your fingers.

Pur Minerals’ cruelty free, vegan-friendly bronzer will replace dull winter skin with a sunroof-down glow that isn’t obvious or overly glittery. Whether you wear it alone or with foundation, the lightweight mineral formula promises not to clog pores, so if you’re prone to breakouts stockpile it.

Tarte have completely redefined the translucent face powder category with this one. Usually a star ingredient in treatments, kaolin clay helps mop up excess oil instantly and cumulatively throughout the day – huge yes to the added skincare benefits. And you can forget about it settling into fine lines or creases because the formula is so fine and soft that it virtually floats over them.

For a highlighter-meets-blush flush that looks dewy and honest rather than doll-like, swirl your brush all over Too Faced’s pearlescent powder, tap lightly and dust over your cheekbones. All four shades are vegan, and amazingly, the list doesn’t just stop at blusher!

Vegan and Peta-approved, this eyeliner’s tapered tip allows for ultimate control making perfectly symmetrical, super-sharp cat eyes more of a possibility than a dream. It’s also filled to bursting with pigment so your flick won’t fade to grey as the day goes on.

Environmental campaigners are asking you to find out. Activists are inviting us each to set a timer on our phones and see how long we can go until we’re forced to throw some plastic away. Everyday single-use items include clingfilm, plastic fruit containers, coffee cups, sandwich wrappers and freezer bags. Friends of the Earth are asking people to time themselves on their phone.

The time and the piece of plastic that ended the challenge can then be submitted to Friends of the Earth. As well as the #drasticonplastic challenge, the organisation is also calling for people to back its campaign for tougher government action on single-use plastic and plastic pollution. Volunteers banned from using litter picking sticks ‘because of health and safety’ FOE plastic-free campaigner Julian Kirby said: ‘Take the plastic challenge and find out how long you can go before you have to use an item of throwaway plastic. ‘By letting us know which bit of unwanted plastic ended your challenge, it will help us put pressure on retailers and manufacturers to reduce the waves of pointless plastic pollution that blights our environment and harms our wildlife. ‘It’s time for the government to get drastic on plastic – and that’s why we need a new law to ensure tougher action to end the plastic pollution crisis.’

The campaign comes just as a cross-party group of MPs called for a complete ban on the export of the UK’s plastic waste to developing countries. Proposed by Liberal Democrat Tom Brake, the motion has been signed by more than 30 MPs including the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas and Labour’s Geraint Davies. It places emphasis on the two-thirds of plastic waste separated for recycling in the UK that is sent abroad for processing. The National Audit Office has warned that materials sent abroad for recycling may be dumped in landfill. Clingfilm, bottles and plastic bags are all single-use.

Environmental charity A Plastic Planet is also backing the motion to end exports of plastic waste to developing countries. Sian Sutherland, A Plastic Planet co-founder, said: ‘Our waste is invisible to us. We used to think popping it in the right bin is where our responsibility ends. ‘The UK should deal with its own dirt – not ship it abroad to others. ‘The answer is clear – we must urgently turn off the plastic tap.’